Synopsis
Bloomsbury here provide a classic by Edward Gorey, master of the comic art and one of the most renowned cartoonists of our time.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
Originally published in 1957, The Doubtful Guest serves as a prime example of the beauty, eccentricity, and brilliance of Edward Gorey's work. If the book was read aloud without revealing the accompanying black-and-white drawings, you might guess the tale came from the quirky genius of Dr. Seuss. The rhyming couplets and nonsensical verse (about an even more nonsensical creature) feel familiar, but in Gorey's skilled hands, the experience becomes altogether new.
The doubtful guest shows up unannounced and unwelcome, yet its presence is accepted after only a brief interlude of screaming. The staid, pale, Victorian inhabitants of the mansion alternately stare and glare at the doubtful guest as it tears out whole chapters from books, peels the soles of its white canvas shoes, and broods while lying on the floor ("inconveniently close to the drawing-room door"). Strangely, or rather, typically, as this is a Gorey book, the stymied occupants never ask the guest to leave--and in 17 years it has still "shown no intention of going away." Maintaining a matter-of-fact tone in spite of true oddity is pure, delicious Gorey, and his trademark drawings are not to be missed. The ghostly, stark, and undeniably amusing illustrations make The Doubtful Guest an entrancing tale in which reserved, insular lives meet with the unexpected and bizarre. (Ages 5 and older)
About the Author
Edward Gorey (1925-2000) wrote and illustrated such popular books as The Doubtful Guest, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, and The Headless Bust. He was also a very successful set and costume designer, earning a Tony Award for his Broadway production of Edward Gorey's Dracula. Animated sequences of his work have introduced the PBS series Mystery! since 1980.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Doubtful Guest
Stock Image
Doubtful Guest
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0747541558I3N00
Seller Image
The doubtful guest / by Edward Gorey
Seller: MW Books, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
1st UK Edition. Near fine copy in the original colour-printed boards. Spine bands and panel edges very slightly dulled. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description: 32 p. : ill. ; 19 cm. Subjects: Gorey, Edward 1925-. Comic books, strips, etc. Illustration of books. 1 Kg. Seller Inventory # 344124
Stock Image
The Doubtful Guest
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001528458
Buy Used
US$ 37.65
US$ 7.66 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 18 available
Seller Image
The doubtful guest / by Edward Gorey
Seller: MW Books Ltd., Galway, Ireland
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
1st UK Edition. Near fine copy in the original colour-printed boards. Spine bands and panel edges very slightly dulled. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description: 32 p. : ill. ; 19 cm. Subjects: Gorey, Edward 1925-. Comic books, strips, etc. Illustration of books. 1 Kg. Seller Inventory # 344124
Buy Used
US$ 39.23
US$ 16.61 shipping
Ships from Ireland to U.S.A.
Ships from Ireland to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Doubtful Guest
Published by
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 1998
ISBN 10: 0747541558
ISBN 13: 9780747541554
Used
Hardcover
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Neat dedication on the opening page. Seller Inventory # wbs4297716339
Buy Used
US$ 50.12
US$ 6.29 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Doubtful Guest
Published by
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 1998
ISBN 10: 0747541558
ISBN 13: 9780747541554
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Sell Books, Elland, YORKS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Most of our very good books have only minor imperfections such as shelf wear consistent with a new book that's sat on a bookshop shelf for a year or two. Occasionally we may miss other minor imperfections as we have to grade books at speed. Our books are dispatched from a Yorkshire former cotton mill. We list via barcode/ISBN so please note that the images are stock images and may not be the exact copy you receive, furthermore the details about edition and year might not be accurate as many publishers reuse the same ISBN for multiple editions and as we simply scan a barcode or enter an ISBN we do not check the validity of the edition data when listing. If you're looking for an exact edition please don't order (at least not without checking with us first, although we don't always have time to check). We aim to dispatch prompty, the service used will depend on order value and book size. We can ship to most countries, see our shipping policies. Payment is via Abe only. Seller Inventory # L-BBE00579-RAG-20250507-VG
Buy Used
US$ 51.99
US$ 16.62 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
Doubtful Guest
Seller: AHA-BUCH GmbH, Einbeck, Germany
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Gebundene Ausgabe. Condition: Neu. Neu Neuware, Importqualität, Versand Büchersendung - 'Doubtful Guest' is available as a hardback gift editions. Seller Inventory # INF1000049040
Buy New
US$ 30.64
US$ 72.16 shipping
Ships from Germany to U.S.A.
Ships from Germany to U.S.A.
Quantity: Over 20 available